As we enter a new year, and with reflection and gratitude, our Coe faculty and staff hope that you have an excellent year ahead. We are excited to share Teacher Education news and events from the Fall 2024 semester.
In this newsletter you'll find...
- celebration of student teachers
- spotlights on education activities
- overview of Coe's Major and Minor in education
- contact information to keep in touch with our program
Please feel free to forward and share the newsletter with others. We appreciate the continuing connections with alumni and hearing about successes happening across the country. We also value responses of our community partners and K-12 teaching colleagues that contribute to Coe students' professional preparation.
Student teachers take part in portfolio panels
Eighteen student teachers completed their semester "finals" in December with the program tradition of Portfolio Panels. The event marks an academic milestone for students.
Each student teacher shares experiences from their field placement and presents examples of their classroom work with elementary, middle or high school students. The portfolio panels provide student teachers with the opportunity to showcase their professional growth, reflection, and readiness to lead in K-12 classrooms.
"I have always been impressed with the power of Coe’s student teachers to reflect on their work and growth. I find that this quality makes them unique," said Director of Student Teaching Marlene Bartlett. Prior to leading the fall cohort, Bartlett served as a supervisor for Coe student teachers. She is also a former elementary principal and veteran educator.
The Coe program schedules student portfolio panels throughout finals week and invites the attendance of professors who worked with the students in core subject areas. Music, art, history, and English faculty were among those who joined Bartlett, Coe student teaching supervisors, and the education faculty for the panel sessions. Each provided opportunity for faculty to ask questions, provide feedback, and appreciate the students' professional accomplishments.
Bartlett said the students' strengths that surfaced in the panels included discussions of classroom environments, engagement in learning, and the importance of communication. “The future looks bright for these teachers and even brighter for the lucky students walking into their classroom doors.”
Strong Paths Forward for Future Educators
- Focus: Students will Major in Elementary Education.
- Requires: GPA 2.7 or higher and a "C" or better in at least one course in each of the four fields of mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities; the professional education courses; and coursework applied toward at least one State-approved endorsement.
- Cumulative 2.7 GPA or higher and 2.7 or higher Education (EDU courses) GPA.
- Field experiences prior to student teaching (120+ hours).
- Methods courses in elementary school subjects.
- At least one K-8 endorsement offered by Coe and approved by the State.
- Successful completion of a semester of student teaching.
What are requirements to pursue teaching certification for Secondary grades?
- Focus: Students will Major in a subject ordinarily taught in the secondary schools. For example: History, Art, Science, Business, Chemistry, Music, Physical Education, Physics, etc.
- Focus: Students will Minor in Education
- Requires: GPA 2.7 or higher and a "C" or better in at least one course in each of the four fields of mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities; the professional education courses; courses required for the major, EDU minor, and in coursework towards at least one approved 5-12 endorsement.
- Cumulative 2.7 GPA or higher and 2.7 or higher Education (EDU courses) GPA.
- Field experiences prior to student teaching (120+ hours).
- Methods course(s) in the selected endorsement area(s).
- Successful completion of a semester of student teaching.
To learn more about student learning experiences at Coe College, please see: https://www.coe.edu/academics/majors-areas-study/education/course-requirements
Learning about Student Supports
Partnering with Area Non-Profits
Coe Teacher Education is proud to be a longtime partner with Jane Boyd Community House in Cedar Rapids. The local organization, as described by its mission statement, focuses on ensuring the success of children and families and serves the academic, emotional, and social well-being of youth. Coe students work with and teach children in after-school programming to the benefit of the youth as well as the learning of the aspiring educators.
Beginning the 2025 Spring Semester
Spring semester 2025 will kick off in early January with a multi-day workshop for the next student teaching cohort, followed by student meetings with their cooperating teachers, supervisors, and education faculty. Courses in Coe Teacher Education begin for all other students on Wednesday, Jan. 8 as the campus semester officially begins for all!
